It was a little weird watching the Redbirds during their Tuesday afternoon basketball workout at Horton Field House. Redbird Arena was being used for a job fair, while the North Gym at Horton was taken by the volleyball team.

So, in the middle of joggers on the track and students filing through, Coach Tim Jankovich and his staff were putting the team through a 40-minute session. It looked like the days of old when Horton used to be the Redbirds’ home.

Guard Austin Hill, who had been slowed by turf toe, was on the court and not limited in any way. Hill has a strong body reminiscent of an SIU guard and nice-looking jumper. He definitely will get major minutes this season. Sophomore forward Jeremy Robinson, coming off arthroscopic knee surgery last month, took part in about 80 percent of the workout and seems to be healing fast.

Everyone is always asking how are the freshmen looking and what role do I see for each of them. It is pretty obvious guard Justin Clark and forward Jackie Carmichael will be on the court plenty this season. Clark can flat out score. You can never get enough of those guys. Carmichael has a big body and is pretty skilled. It is difficult to tell about the other frosh.

Zeke Upshaw probably saw his value for this season increase when Bobby Hill was lost with a torn ACL. Upshaw is a 2-3 player in the mold of Osiris Eldridge and is very athletic. Guard Terry Johnson is another scorer who probably will need to show he can do it on the defensive end. Johnson could become the primary back up for Lloyd Phillips at the point.

Maybe the most interesting freshman is Jon Ekey. The 6-7 forward may remind Redbird fans of Dan Muller. Ekey was the all-time Missouri prep blocked shots leader and can get off the floor in a hurry. He also has 3-point range and will eventually turn into a mismatch at the 4 spot. However, Ekey needs to put on about 20-25 pounds. Would a redshirt year be the best for him? Probably. But most freshmen want to play. With Dinma Odiakosa, Carmichael, Tony Lewis, Kellen Thornton and Robinson available up front, chances are Ekey won’t have great minutes this season. However, in the 2013-14 season when he would be a fifth-year senior, Ekey could be an all-Valley player.

Bobby Hill was not at the workout, which is understandable. Hill might have the worst luck of any ISU student-athlete I have covered, being sidelined for a second straight year. There still is no date for Hill’s surgery. It must be difficult for Hill to watch his teammates after working so hard during the spring and summer to get ready for the season. His teammates will need to be there to support him.

ISU athletic trainer John Munn (hey, Munn, I got your title right!) reported that everyone is doing well in Jankovich’s morning two-week boot camp, which concludes Friday. Only one of the freshman (I can’t reveal who it was) didn’t really realize the extent of the workout and ate a big breakfast before day one. It didn’t happen the next day.

Still no word on any recruits. Apparently, DeKalb big man Jordan Threloff is taking his time to decide on ISU, Drake or Western Michigan. The Redbirds aren’t in a position where they need to get a recruit immediately. If Threloff doesn’t come to ISU, it might not be until the spring when Jankovich and staff add another player.

ISU announced today plans for Redbird HoopFest on Oct. 16 at Redbird Arena. It will start at 7 p.m. and be much like last year’s format. There will be a 3-point contest for the men and women, a dunk contest (men only, I presume) and both teams will hold a 10-minute scrimmage. Then it will be outside for live music and the Homecoming bonfire.